Like me, I assume that most of you would not be particularly familiar with the meaning of the word “Henotheism”.

The more informed among us will be reminded that it is in fact: “the belief that while there is more than one God, only one of them is actually worth worshiping”[1]. Which one is obviously up to you…although Bacchus and Dionysus do spring to mind!

Fewer of you still, I’d wager, would have heard of the term “Vinotheism” (and if you have then bugger me that’s spooky, because I just made it up…).

According to ancient scrolls recently discovered in a tent somewhere outside of Stoke-on-Wold, Vinotheism is the widely held belief that “while there is more than one grape variety or style of wine, only one of them is actually worth drinking”.

Key proponents of this belief are:

• NZ Sauvignon Blanc producers;
• One eyed, fanatical, Pinot Noir fans;
• Weirdos that only drink red wine;
• People that will only buy wine that Robert Parker has rated at 95 points or above (OK that’s a bit loose, but you know what I mean);
• Your aunty Enis, who refuses to try anything other than Jacobs Creek Chardonnay; and
• Just about anyone else who doggedly and unreasonably favours one variety/style over all others.

I really can’t understand these people.

OK…everybody’s entitled to their own opinion, but when their own opinion is limited by their refusal to try something different, then bollocks to that!

An open mind

We guzzlers are often asked what our favourite wine variety is, and whether we favour red wine over white wine. The truth is, we really don’t have a favourite variety and either white wine or red is OK with us – it’s whether or not it’s any good that truly matters.

I must admit however that the Guzzlers do openly champion Riesling quite frequently. But that’s mainly because it delivers such high quality wine at such reasonable prices so consistently.

And, although we have been know to criticize NZ Sauvignon Blanc and Australian Chardonnay/Pinot Noir from time to time (ok, a lot…) that does not mean that we dismiss them completely – in fact we’re constantly searching for good quality, reasonable priced examples of these wines and are genuinely excited when we find them (or not…in the case of Aussie Pinot).

There are just so many awesome wines being made, in so many regions, and from so many varieties, that you’d simply be mad to close your mind to all of the options available and stick to the same old stuff.

On that point, at a wine show in Sydney recently WC and myself came across a very drinkable New Zealand Arneis. This wine really delivered, and was in our opinion one of the stand-out wines of the show. Now, if we’d been focused on only tasting the hundreds of Sauvignon Blancs on offer we would have passed up the opportunity to find this little gem.

Every wine has its day

Wine is an occasion thing as much as anything else. It’s where you are, who your with and what your doing that really should dictate what wine you drink.

A big meaty full bodied red is just as unsuitable for a light garden lunch in the middle of Spring as a chilled young Semillon blend is in front of the fire on a rain drenched Winter’s night.

It’s common sense really. All you need to do is open your mind and expand you repertoire.

So, go out there and try as many different wines as you can, from as many different regions and in as many different varieties as possible. Burst through your prejudice and splash out on a bottle of Montbazillac, Moscato or Mouverdre etc…

And just in case the message still didn’t get through, here’s a small rap to help you out: “Yo, don’t be a Vino-the-ist, expand you mind and drink all kinds of piss”.

vivent la différence.

Cheers

MW